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Smear tests: dress to impress?

Thanks largely to high-profile bloggers such as Katie Snooks, Louise Pentland and, of course, Zoe Sugg, smear tests and other matters cervical have had a recent boost on social media. Personally, I have been delighted about this; anything that raises awareness of these issues is okay by me. But the responses to the conversation demonstrate that a high number of girls are still extremely concerned (or just really unsure) about smear tests.

Lie back and think of… anywhere else!

You can read many tweets or blog posts, for example Louise’s, that reassuringly assert that smear tests aren’t painful, just uncomfortable, and that the worst part about it is feeling awkward. However, I’ve noticed that these also provoke a response from some ladies who do find smear tests uncomfortable, and feel frustrated that everyone else harps on about how easy-breezy they really are. I like to think I can sympathise with that. It must be really irritating to go through something which actually is painful for you, requiring real braveness to do it all over again in 3 years’ time, only to be told that it’s nothing.

I can only speak from my own experience. For me, just like Louise and many other women, smear tests are a minor discomfort, and perhaps more so mentally than physically. I don’t doubt that this is not the case for everybody. However, what I do know is this: of all the various checks, tests and procedures I’ve had in the last few months, the smear test was hands down the easiest. If, by booking in your cervical screening when it’s due, you can make sure that there isn’t anything going on in there that there shouldn’t be, I would have thought it was worth a few minutes of discomfort.

A question that seems to crop up regularly regarding smear tests is what to wear. Yes, I know it’s not a fashion show. Of course there’s no dress code. But if you’re totally unsure of what to expect, these tips might be useful:

You will need to “pop everything off” from the waist down. Although you can keep your socks on if you like, just for laughs. I wore dinosaur ones last time.

Wearing a long skirt is best because you can keep it on and just hoik it up, leaving you feeling much more covered up.

Definitely wear knickers that are on the bigger/grannier side.

Although you probably won’t feel any after-effects as soon as you’ve left the room, I’d recommend wearing something reasonably loose-fitting. Especially if it’s the first time, you might feel a bit odd afterwards from the whole situation, so wearing clothes you feel really comfy in can help.

Reward yourself with a happy cookie.

Regardless, the whole thing will be over before you know it, leaving you free to go and get a celebratory/rejuvenating hot chocolate and pat yourself on the back for your good work. And, hopefully, you won’t have to think about it again for a whole three years!

In conclusion: for most women, a smear test doesn’t hurt. But even if it does, I think it is very unlikely that you will actually regret going. Regretting NOT going can be much, much more serious.

4 thoughts on “Smear tests: dress to impress?”

I second the skirt option! And the big knickers! There’s something a little embarrassing about being in a nurse’s room with nothing on from the waist down, so the skirt made me feel more comfortable knowing I could just drop it and be covered. The big knickers also helped me as I bled a little and the lube made me feel grossly moist down there. I actually left the room laughing because the nurse said “you have a very healthy looking cervix” to me, which is just hilarious!

I was really nervous about my smear test but it is such a small price to pay for peace of mind, or to detect anything early! Thank you for sharing your story. I’ll be following this blog closely!